Substation Operator Apprentice, BB-5407-51



Bonneville power administration

Job standard for

Substation operator apprentice bb 5407 51

J07183

January 3, 2017

I. job characteristics

A. general

The Substation Operator Apprentice works under the direct supervision of a Chief Substation Operator. Work and field training assignments will be directed and authorized by the Chief Substation Operator. The Substation Operator Apprentice Instructor will be in charge of the Apprentice during class room training sessions.

The Apprentice performs a variety of tasks designed to provide experience which will enhance technical understanding and skill in the use of the tools and equipment of the trade. Work and field training assignments are performed in a high-voltage electrical power transmission system under the supervision of a journeyman Substation Operator; and in accordance with established power system operating procedures, government regulations, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Safety Rules, and the BPA-Columbia Power Trades Council (CPTC) Agreement.

The Substation Operator Apprenticeship program is a formal 3 ½-year program consisting of seven steps (training periods). The apprentice must pass an oral review at the end of each step to remain in this program. Apprentices will be promoted to journeyman after successfully passing the seventh step review. He/she will then be assigned to a vacant journeyman position as they occur, in accordance with personnel placement procedures in effect at that time.

In addition to satisfactorily completing the on-the-job training portion of the program, the apprentice will complete assigned lessons associated with periodic classroom instruction sessions and correspondence lessons in electrical trade theory during each step of the apprenticeship program.

To successfully complete this program an apprentice will need to commit approximately 15 hours study each week on average to correspondence lessons, classroom instruction lessons, organizing information acquired during regular work hours, preparing for classroom training and preparing for end-of-step reviews.

Failure to complete the required correspondence course and all classroom instruction sessions satisfactorily can be sufficient cause for removal from the program.

B. TASKS

The Substation Operator Apprentice, under direct supervision of a journeyman Substation Operator or another journeyman Electrical Worker, operates high voltage electrical equipment in electrical power transmission system substations and on transmission lines. Specific tasks vary with the type of substation to be operated.

The Apprentice is expected to gain knowledge of the various work processes, high voltage power system equipment, associated protective relays, and become proficient in the use of proper terminology. All these tasks will be progressively more difficult throughout the apprenticeship.

In addition to learning the work processes in each step as indicated above, throughout the apprenticeship the apprentice will perform switching under the supervision and guidance of a journeyman Substation Operator. Additionally they will read meters, complete periodic reports, perform equipment and substation inspections, and perform janitorial duties and grounds maintenance work.

There will be assignments with various other BPA functions to learn their working processes. The assignments will be of short-term and will occur throughout the apprenticeship.

|System Dispatching |Power Scheduling Group |

|Substation Electrical Maintenance |Power Generating Facility |

|Transmission Line Maintenance |Test & Energization/Construction |

|System Protection & Control Maintenance |Power System Control Maintenance |

C. WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors under all prevailing weather conditions during the day or night. Work is also performed on uneven, outdoor surfaces, including steep inclines, on rocked or graveled surfaces and unimproved surfaces. Hazards include working around high voltage equipment and machinery with moving parts. The possibility of explosion or fire is ever-present. The Substation Operator Apprentice may work from ladders, platforms, scaffolding, or stairs. Work may be at heights up to 60 feet. The work environment will occasionally include high noise levels and/or exposure to hazardous substances (such as acids, PCB's, pesticides, asbestos, mercury, solvents, etc.) that could, if precautions are not followed, pose a health risk. Proper respiratory and safety equipment shall be worn when hazardous substances are being handled. Emergencies, critical system conditions, or outage limitations may require that work be done at night and/or under time restraints. System priorities may require extended periods of overtime, including working weekends.

The Apprentice can expect to be in a travel status approximately 25% of the time, since assignments away from the headquarters will be required to complete some of the work processes and training. The total costs of tuition, books, and related materials will be paid by BPA. The Apprentice will be paid for travel and per diem expenses, in accordance with applicable travel regulations, for expenses incurred in connection with mandatory training, including training on scheduled days off. The time spent traveling to the training site and returning from the training site is the employee’s responsibility and is not paid for by BPA.

D. SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Persons filling Substation Operator Apprentice positions are required to meet some or all of the following conditions:

1. Satisfactory completion of all aspects of each step including the correspondence course and classroom instruction is mandatory for advancement to the next step. Failure to meet apprentice program requirements contained in the Standard of Apprenticeship will result in removal from the apprenticeship program.

2. Work in close proximity to substances, such as acids, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, asbestos, mercury, and solvents, etc., which may have affects on health unless prescribed handling procedures are followed. If exposed to health hazards, have periodic physical examinations as prescribed by competent medical authority at BPA expense.

3. Become knowledgeable with and follow the safety practices of the BPA Accident Prevention Manual.

4. Establish a residence in accordance with negotiated requirements, that is within one hour or less commuting time under normal weather and road conditions to the duty station headquarters.

5. Posses or obtain a Restricted Electrical Workers’ permit within the one-year of employment and maintain it continuously thereafter.

6. Possess at all time a valid state driver’s license. Traffic citations indicating poor driving habits may disqualify applicants, and can be cause for removal from the program.

7. Obtain certification on the equipment associated with substation operations assigned to operate.

8. Take First Aid training to obtain a First Aid and CPR Card within the first month of employment and maintain continuously thereafter.

9. Subject to call for emergency work at any time.

10. Operate any type of motor vehicle applicable to assigned duties.

11. As part of the job requirements, and at the discretion of the Chief Substation Operator III, the Substation Operator Apprentice shall be required to apply restricted use pesticides and may be required to obtain a pesticide applicator’s license. The Administration shall provide the necessary training for such a license.

12. In addition to a successful evaluation on the final review, the Step 7 Apprentice must pass the current year’s Standard Clearance Certification examination. Satisfactory completion of the clearance certification examination is a mandatory requirement for graduation to the journeyman level.

13. The Apprentices may be selected for and relocated to their first assigned duty station during the last 6months of their apprenticeship program in accordance with BPA-CPTC memorandum of understanding (MOU) applicable to apprentice placement.

E. RESPONSIBILITIES

The work is performed under the direct supervision of a journeyman Substation Operator or another journeyman Electrical Worker, who outlines the assignments and objectives, and discusses the work. The work of the Apprentice is closely reviewed for conformance to instructions, accuracy, completeness, and appropriateness of any actions taken. The Apprentice works independently on all aspects of the work for which fully trained. The Apprentice is responsible for good work practices, learning the step and related training material, and for completion of tasks in a manner which will insure personal safety, the safety of others, minimize equipment damage or failure, and interruption of service. The Apprentice is accountable for government owned and/or assigned personal property. He/She are also responsible for the proper care of tools, vehicles, and other work equipment that they use. The Apprentice must comply with all relevant aspects of management directed activities, such as programs for the handling and disposal of hazardous waste material.

F. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The Apprentice has contacts with various BPA operations, maintenance, engineering, and construction personnel, as well as personnel of Federal generating plants. The Apprentice also has working relationships with utility and customer operations and maintenance employees, telephone company service personnel, contractors, public officials, and the general public. Conduct in these relationships is expected to be exemplary.

G. WORK PROCESSES AND APPROXIMATE HOURS

The apprentice completes trade work process tasks (e.g. switching, protective relays, and equipment inspections) in accordance with goal hour requirements contained in the Standards of Apprenticeship for the trade.

II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS/EVALUATION FACTORS

A. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

To determine those who are minimally qualified and those who are best qualified, candidates will be evaluated on the basis of results of a written test, experience, education, training, supervisory appraisal, and/or potential regarding the following job elements:

1. Aptitude and interest to learn trade theory (Failure to meet this requirement will result in an ineligible rating)

2. Ability to follow directions

3. Reliability and dependability (Failure to meet this requirement will result in an ineligible rating)

4. Dexterity and safety

5. Ability to use prints and drawings

B. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential Functions (those duties encompassed in a job which are indispensable and comprise the gist or substance of the job):

• Operates energized high and low voltage electrical power transmission system substations following strict procedures and safety requirements.

• Checks and reviews station conditions. Responsible for station security and safety of others in the station.

• Performs inspections on all high and low voltage equipment in substations and keeps records. Periodically inspects station, including all components in the switchyard, outlying buildings, and the perimeter of the property.

• Monitors and operates various communications systems. All processes require clear oral communication.

• Completes associated documentation required of the above listed tasks.

• Drives 15-20% of the time in all weather conditions.

|PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS |

| |

|Physical Requirement needed to perform essential functions |

|NR=not required; Rarely = 1% or less; Occasionally = 1-33%; Frequently = 34–65%; Continually = 66–100% |

|Climbing |Occasionally |Able to climb and work at various heights averaging 10 feet, rarely up to 60 feet, such as on |

| | |platforms, scaffolding, ladders and stairs adjacent to high-voltage equipment. |

|Balancing |Frequently |Requires good balance to climb ladders and perform repair duties while switching and changing |

| | |fuses. Walking on uneven surfaces. |

|Leg/Foot use (in conjunction |Frequently |To operate motor vehicles and to climb ladders and stairs. Must be able to work from ladders, |

|with standing/walking/ | |platforms, scaffolding. |

|climbing | | |

|Standing |Occasionally |Ability to stand an average of 2-3 hours uninterrupted. Occasionally stands a maximum of up to|

| | |8 hours per day when performing safety watching. |

|Sitting |Frequently |Drives vehicles to and from work sites, monitor and operate various communication systems; |

| | |perform office work. Average of 3-4 hours per day. |

|Walking |Frequently |Walk/stand on uneven, slippery surfaces, including steep inclines in all weather conditions. |

| | |Must be able to move rapidly to and from the control house at various locations in the |

| | |switchyard (distances of up to one-quarter mile) several times in succession during the |

| | |execution of switching operations. Must be able to walk up to 4 hours on large-graveled |

| | |surfaces |

|Lifting/Carrying |Occasionally |Lifts tools and equipment. Average is 30 pounds. Lifts and positions 100-110 pound nitrogen |

| | |bottles and 120-pound manhole covers. Ability to raise, lower, and maneuver up to 30-pounds |

| | |utilizing a pole 20 feet or more in length. |

|Pushing/Pulling |Occasionally |Requires up to 75 pounds of exertion to operate swing handle or hand crank of disconnect while |

| | |in a standing position. Moves and positions equipment and materials weighing up to 120 pounds |

| | |such as manhole covers and nitrogen bottles. |

|Twisting/Bending/ |Frequently |Ability to raise, lower and maneuver up to 30 pounds utilizing a pole 20 feet or more in |

|Stooping (knees, waist, neck, | |length. Performs inspections and cleaning duties. |

|wrist) | | |

|Handling/Grasping |Occasionally |Ability to raise, lower, and maneuver up to 30 pounds utilizing a pole 20 feet or more in |

| | |length to change fuses and perform switching operations. Grasps swing handles and hand cranks |

| | |to perform switching operations. Fine grasping to replace screws and relay equipment. |

|Reaching |Occasionally |Works with arms overhead or extended for long periods of time. |

|Crouching |Occasionally |May crouch when performing inspections. |

|Kneeling/Crawling |Rarely |Kneels to access and inspect equipment. |

|Fingering/Feeling |Occasionally |Performs repairs and switching activities. Turns knobs and grasps screws after removing relay |

| | |covers. |

|Other Physical Requirements |Occasionally |Considerable physical exertion is also required while performing activities such as building |

| | |and grounds maintenance and when traveling on foot to gain access to remote switching |

| | |locations. |

|USE OF SENSES |

|Talking |Continually |Able to communicate with co-workers and to provide clear, accurate communication. |

|Hearing |Continually |To receive directions from co-workers, listen for telephone. Ability to hear warning devices, |

| | |and indicators of problems in the substation. |

|Vision |Continually |To safely operate equipment and use tools while performing disconnects and switching operations. |

| | |Requires good spatial ability/depth perception and sufficient color discrimination to distinguish|

| | |color-coding or shade variations. Distant visual acuity of at least 20/40. |

|Smell |Continually |Able to detect various gases, fuels, exhausts, burning of electrical equipment. Gas detectors |

| | |are available. |

|MENTAL REQUIREMENTS |

|Requires ability to perform effectively under stress for extended periods of time in hazardous situations; interact/communicate with others; |

|comprehend and follow directions; work both independently and as a team member; make decisions and judgments; maintain flexibility in performing a |

|variety of tasks, pay attention to detail, follow safety rules; operate vehicles and equipment safely; read and comprehend manuals and substation |

|maps; sufficient math/geometric skills; basic computer skills. |

|ENVIRONMENTAL |

|Requires ability to work outside in all weather conditions; inside work required while working on relay and control panels and other electrical |

|equipment. Frequent exposure to hazards typical of working around high voltage equipment and machinery with moving parts. Potential exposure to loud|

|noises. May perform preventative and/or corrective containment and/or cleanup measures to protect the environment with various chemicals such as |

|herbicides, pesticides, and solvents. MSDS are available. Ability to work at heights and underground. Required to wear various levels of PPE |

|(hearing protection, respiratory protection, hard hats, safety glasses; if required, insulated rubber gloves). |

|SPECIAL EQUIPMENT |

|Uses equipment such as cars, trucks, a variety of power and hand tools and test equipment. Uses office equipment such as computers, telephones, copy |

|and fax machines. |

III. CAREER PATHS AVAILABLE

A. REGIONAL OPERATIONS

Substation Operator or D. C. Substation Operator

Senior D. C. Substation Operator

Chief Substation Operator

B. SYSTEM OPERATIONS

Assistant Dispatcher Trainee

Assistant Dispatcher

System Dispatcher

Generation Dispatcher

Senior System Dispatcher

IV. COMPETITIVE LEVELS FOR REDUCTION IN FORCE

Substation Operator Apprentice

Classification Findings: Series: CONCUR, Title: NONCONCUR

(SEE MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD IN CASE FILE AND EVALUATION STATEMENT)

/s/ Jamie L. Gonzalez

Jamie L. Gonzalez

Human Resource Specialist (Classification)

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